What Makes Puerto Rico Unique?

Who wouldn’t love the seductive trio of sizzling Latin culture, lovely scenery (including a few delectably empty beaches) and vibrant nightlife, all set to a soundtrack of energetic salsa? Because San Juan serves as the transfer hub for flights throughout the Caribbean, you’ll find plenty of affordable flights to this U.S. territory — and though the ambience screams exotic, no passports are required.

The swank resorts along the sunny north side of the island — especially along Isla Verde Beach — are large enough to create a wedding as extravagant as you desire, as well as convenient to the chic nightclubs and stylish shops that line Old San Juan’s twisty cobblestone streets.

Active couples should head to the west-coast town of Rincon, which is as famous for its waves and striking strands as it is for its laid-back attitude. Here, small welcoming resorts share the volleyball-net-strung shoreline with funky beach bars and a few newer high-rise condos. Since the beaches face west, they’re lovely for sunset weddings. (Tip: Avoid the crowds by hitting top surfing beaches like Maria’s Beach after the winter surf season.)

For something truly off the beaten bath, the offshore isle of Vieques, with its secluded beaches and luminescent bio bay, is a beautiful option for solitude seekers. While there are a few boutique resorts and restaurants, it’s mostly wide-open beach.

Don’t Miss Old San Juan has two of the Caribbean’s most beautiful fortresses. San Cristobal’s timeworn stone walls conceal 27 acres of grassy courtyards and rocky promenades 150 feet above the old city; nearby San Felipe del Morro is a 16th-century castle set on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Both make dramatic options for a photo op or a wedding ceremony, though you’ll need to hold your reception elsewhere.

Good to Know Puerto Rico requires a couple to show proof of a blood test, which must be performed at a federally certified laboratory no more than 14 days before the wedding. The test must also be approved by a doctor in Puerto Rico and authenticated at the Demographic Registry.